Two Week Camping Trip

We took our first camping trip as a family of four over Memorial Day weekend. We've camped with Hannah a couple times, but this was Caleb's first venture out. So, because we were taking a one-year-old, two nights at Lake Lopez was just enough of the camping experience for now.

You may think I put a typo in the title of this post, calling it a two week trip, when in fact we only spent two nights at the campground. But no, the full camping venture was two weeks when you take into consideration the prep time, actual camping time, and clean up/pack away time.

I start prepping for a trip about a week ahead. I'm not actually packing anything yet, but my mental list is going. Starting to think about what food I need to buy. Where are the flashlights? What do I do with a crawling baby in dirt for two days? Make SURE to pack the percolator (one of our favorite parts of camping is camp coffee. It usually looks like sludge because I can never get the ratio of grounds to water right in a percolator, but it always tastes so good). Then later in the week the camping box comes out and I sort through that, adding anything it's lacking from last year. And then the actual packing of the car the day before. I didn't know if we were going to fit everything in the car, since we were bringing the dog too, but we made it! It kind of feels silly, packing an Explorer to the brim for a two night trip, but that's the thing about camping: whether you're going for one night or five, you pretty much need almost the same amount of stuff. 

All loaded up ready to go, with a sliver of rear window clear to see out the back

I think the most difficult age to take a child camping is one, which is precisely what we did. Partly because they're old enough to not be content just sitting on someone's lap or in a play pen and would rather crawl in the dirt the whole time, and because of all the extra stuff you have to bring for the smallest member of the family. 

Caleb was in his element and thoroughly enjoyed the dirt. To my surprise, he didn't eat as much of it as he does at home in the flower pots.

All in all it was a fun trip, despite the difficult nights of sleep and me getting sick right before we left. I'm happy my kids get to have this experience, of spending all day outdoors playing with friends, getting dirty, seeing nature and wild animals, playing in the lake, enjoying campfires and s'mores. 

Amy taking the girls out

Heading home and worn out

And as I'm writing this post, Hannah just walked up and said, "I really want to go camping again."

Growing Up

Both my kids are growing up so fast. Which, I guess is obvious, but I've been reminded of it a lot lately.  

Hannah lost her first tooth. This was both traumatic and exciting for her. We were at lunch when it happened. She took a bite of her cheeseburger and out it came. She held it up and showed us, and immediately broke in to tears. Chris and I were trying trying very hard to reassure her and not laugh at the same time.
That night when she wanted to put the tooth under her pillow, she asked me to do it because she didn't want to see the tooth. The tooth fairy brought her a dollar. We weren't sure of the going rates for tooth fairies. The next morning I realized the whole losing teeth process will be expensive for us.
For those with kids losing teeth, how much does the tooth fairy bring your kids?

It may have been traumatic to lose the tooth, but now she will happily tell anyone she lost a tooth, even strangers, and show them the new one coming in.

The other reminder of the kids growing up was celebrating Caleb's first birthday. I only had about two weeks to prepare since I had put everything on hold until after taking my last licensing exam on April 29.

I went with a bear and camo theme, since we call Caleb our little bear because of all his grunting and growls. 

I searched the kids rooms and gathered all our teddy bears and bear books. Each table had a boquet of flowers and a bear book. This one also got my left over camo fabric as a runner. By using things I had in the house it made the decorating super cheap, always a plus!

This is the banner I made with bias tape and fabric. Super easy to do!

This guy sat on the food table. I found the paw print paper underneath at the Dollar Tree. I also found camo print napkins at the party store

I hung a string of twine on the back fence and attached a photo of Caleb from each month with clothespins.  Again, cheap decorations

This is the cake I made for Caleb to smash in to. The camo underneath is a blanket we have

The cake for the rest of us, banana with cream cheese frosting. Bananas are Caleb's favorite fruit

Hannah was very excited to help Caleb open his gifts. I had to keep reminding her to keep the package in front of him and show him what each gift was.

Wearing his new hat. I made his shirt too with the same fabric I used for the banner and table runner. No sewing, just heat bond

Getting ready to dive in to his cake

Once he got into the cake he loved it and started laughing. That boy loves to eat

The end result, I think he ate most of it.

Happy birthday Caleb Samuel! I love your smiles, your giggles, how much you love to play peek-a-boo, wrestle with Dad, and play chase with your sister. You are a talker, and will babble all day long (sometimes loudly). You just learned the sign for "more" and use it when you are hungry, saying "moh." Sometimes I can't feed you fast enough. You are such a joy to have in our family and I am honored to be your mama. 

One

Tomorrow my baby boy turns ONE. I can't believe it. This time last year I was in labor, debating whether or not we should go to the hospital yet. Now I am on the couch reminiscing, almost tearfully, as he sleeps right above me. Caleb's first year went by so much faster than Hannah's, I sort of feel like I missed it. And I am already seeing my baby disappear and a very energetic toddler emerging. It's exciting and it's sad at the same time. I miss my snuggly, cuddly infant who would fall asleep on me. Now he squirms to be let down so he can crawl (fast!) and explore. He has the best giggle. He loves to eat, I mean really loves it. He loves his sister, and already likes to wrestle with Chris.

I love you deeply Caleb Samuel, our miracle baby. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your life.

Springtime (Fun With my Camera)

First, as a follow-up to my last post, I passed my test! I'm so excited to be finished taking tests after six years of them (post college). I have already started working on my to-do list, reading my Bible more, planning Caleb's party, and doing some work in the garden. I also cleaned one set of blinds today too, so I'm on my way. That has to be one of my least favorite house chores. 

Enough of that, here are some photos I've been wanting to post for awhile. I took them back at the end of March, right after Easter, so this is long overdue.

A girl and her dog

Survival Mode

I have a very good reason for not blogging for the last month:

I am taking the VERY LAST of my licensing exams on Monday. This is big news, people. Completing the licensing exams has been a 6 year endeavor, and that's not counting the required 5 year degree before exam eligibility. There are seven national exams for licensure, and because California is so special (read: difficult), they have their own supplemental exam. 

So, I have been in survival mode for the last month, using most of my free time to study and putting my to-do list aside until after April 29th. Every one of Caleb's nap times have turned in to my study times. My MIL graciously came down for a few days to play with the kids and help me out. And my sweet husband has been such a support, watching the kids on his days off so I can get some extra study time. That's no small feat considering Caleb wants to spend all his waking hours outside eating dirt or playing in water.

So I am eagerly anticipating April 29. I cannot wait to be done with tests and have my sanity back. I get very stressed out right before one of these exams. It kind of makes me feel like this:

I've been making a mental list of things I want to do once it's done and I have my life back (in no particular order):

Dust

Clean the blinds

Take the kids to a park

Read my Bible

Plan Caleb's birthday party
Work in the garden
Dates with my husband

Blog more

Bake

Play with the kids on the floor 
All the other things I have been neglecting, like scheduling dr. appointments, kindergarten paperwork, etc.

I am so looking forward to summer and enjoying these two

So if you think of it, please pray for me on Monday from 9-12:30. I am REALLY hoping to pass.

Everyday Fun

The newest thing in our house these days is the appearance of Caleb's first tooth, finally! Boy was that a long, drawn out process. So it's working it's way out and I think the second one is about to break through soon too. 

Caleb has also become a very fast crawler. His favorite things to go for are Tucker's food and water dishes, and the backyard if the slider is open. Once he's outside, he finds either the dog's water bowl out there or some dirt. 

Hannah's in the middle of a 6-week soccer class and loves it. She is a fast runner so I think soccer is a good fit for her, as much as I would love to live vicariously and put her in dance. 

 I walked upstairs the other night to find this:

 I think I foiled a jail break

My silly girl and her big, beautiful eyes (and loose tooth, she's very excited for it to fall out soon)

Eating his first aebelskiever

A trip to the zoo last Monday. Caleb was very focused on all the sights, especially whatever Hannah was doing. Hannah's favorite part of the zoo is the play area with the big hill to slide down. Makes me wonder why we bought a membership instead of just taking her to the park...

Shameless Plug

I just realized I haven't said anything on here about Chris' CD, "Still Small Voice". I'm sure the five of you who read this already know about his CD, so I'll just remind you how fantastic it is. The album is all original songs, except for one hymn. I am so proud of Chris for all the hard work he put into making this CD a reality. 
If you haven't already, be sure to check out his website where you can download the album for FREE. It's also on iTunes and various other places. He's also periodically posting in the blog section with the story behind each song and how it came to be. We hope you are blessed by his album!